Local Search Is Booming And Can Bring You Business

Google, like other search engines, drags local listings from third-party directories and other sources. For companies that want to a buy ads accompanying these local listings use the Google AdWords and that will save them big money. The reason is that the competition is much more limited than with general searches, so the price is lower. Local search also can be particularly useful to small businesses without Web sites.

Some specialized local search engines like CitySearch.com, Yellow- Pages.com and Superpages.com actually provide a free, basic page for businesses that can include basic information about the company, like phone number, hours of operation and address. A good way to get started in local search is to make sure all the local search directories in dude a listing for the business and that all the information, such as phone number and address, is accurate.

Most local search directories also let businesses beautify their local search listings. Google's Local Business Center recently began letting businesses post photos, and many local search directories let them post hours of operation, services provided and coupons. Businesses can also buy pay-per-click ads in AdWords for local search results. If a local business has a Web site, the owners should be sure all the information there is clear and accurate.

Search engines extract some of their local search listings from location information found on Web sites. For instance if you have a designer luggage store then you may want to use AdWords to bring customers from your city or town to your store. So it's important for a business to include its address conspicuously on its home page. Be sure the city and state name is spelled out, since many search users spell it out when searching. Business people should also include the city and state in the site's title tag to increase the odds search engines will find it.